Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Title: HaloAuthor: Alexandra AdornettoYear of Publication: 2010Genre: FictionPages: 484First Line: "Our arrival didn't exactly go as planned."Summary: Three angels -- Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human -- are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angels' mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: There wasn't anything terribly special about this novel. I found the main character's voice to be strong and somewhat unique. I was impressed to know that the author, Alexandra Adornetto, is only 18 and was first published when she was 14, according to the author biography at the back of the book. The general plot was fairly predictable. I found it was difficult to connect with any of the characters, Bethany included. Unfortunately, the book ended without tying everything up and even started a new conflict on the last page. This book could have done without a sequel, and I'm not sure I'm interested in reading the sequel.

Worst part: Molly, Bethany's friend, wasn't likable at all.

Best part: The concept was interesting, though I could have been executed better.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Title: FreefallAuthor: Mindi ScottYear of Publication: 2010Genre: FictionPages: 315First Line: "This was Daniel's deal."Summary: Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn't wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend's death, Seth is torn between turning his life around. . .or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own and Seth will soon realize he isn't the only one who needs saving. . . .

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: This book was kind of like a light-hearted version of Looking for Alaska by John Green. And it was also like Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl. Scott's style is fairly conversational, and I think, like all books like this one, it was best in first-person and could not have been done well in any other point of view. I found most of the characters to be interesting and well-rounded, although Daniel's character could have been done better. The ending was very much like a movie, which I wasn't a fan of, but at the same time, I understood that there weren't a whole lot of ways to end this book. All in all, not bad, but I don't think it's something I'd rush to read again.

Worst part: Daniel.

Best part: Everything that happened was super realistic and things came naturally.

Grade:

Other Books by This Author: None, but there is another coming out in 2012 called Live Through This.

Title: Beatle Meets DestinyAuthor: Gabrielle WilliamsYear of Publication: 2009Genre: FictionPages: 336First Line: "John Lennon was named John Lennon after John Lennon."Summary: Imagine your name is John Lennon but everyone calls you Beatle.

And then you meet your dream girl, and her name is Destiny McCartney.

But you meet her on Friday the 13th -- and you're very superstitious. Not to mention that you're already dating the perfect girl, who happens to be your twin sister's best friend. . . .

Beatle can't imagine ever leaving his girlfriend, Cilla, who supported him after the stroke that changed his life and left him with a limp. Still, he knows that the only thing worse than staying with the wrong person is missing the chance to be with the right one.

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: I was kind of surprised at the lack of actual Beatles-related stuff in this book, but at the same time, I guess I'm kind of glad it wasn't really included because it would have been so obvious. (Although if you're looking for a book that has more Beatles stuff, read Pepperland.) Williams' style wasn't anything special. In fact, I found the style itself a little bland and sometimes difficult to pay attention to. That said, it was a quick read that was fun, "brainless," and easy. Not sure I'd recommend it to younger teens because of some references, but it's nothing horrendously graphic or anything. As far as characters go, I felt Destiny was very contradicting. She came across as one way through Beatle's perception, but then when we "saw" her acting, it was totally different. To fix that, I might've done this (or preferred it, rather) in first-person rather than third. In any case, it was pretty good and worth the time I spent reading it.

Worst part: The style.

Best part: The concept. But like I said, I would've liked a little more Beatles stuff.

Grade: B

Other Books by This Author:There is another, though I can't find the title. It was not a YA-novel.